Gamma, X-ray and neutron shielding properties of polymer concretes

We have studied the X-ray and gamma radiation shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, linear attenuation coefficient, half value layer, tenth value layer, effective atomic numbers, electron density, exposure buildup factors, relative dose, dose rate and specific gamma ray constant in some polymer based concretes such as sulfur polymer concrete, barium polymer concrete, calcium polymer concrete, flourine polymer concrete, chlorine polymer concrete and germanium polymer concrete. The neutron shielding properties such as coherent neutron scattering length, incoherent neutron scattering lengths, coherent neutron scattering cross section, incoherent neutron scattering cross sections, total neutron scattering cross section and neutron absorption cross sections in the polymer concretes have been studied. The shielding properties among the studied different polymer concretes have been compared. From the detail study, it is clear that barium polymer concrete is good absorber for X-ray, gamma radiation and neutron. The attenuation parameters for neutron are large for chlorine polymer concrete. Hence, we suggest barium polymer concrete and chlorine polymer concrete are the best shielding materials for X-ray, gamma and neutrons

Library Consortia in United Arab Emirates: An Opinion Survey / KN Sheshadri, D Shivalingaiah, K Manjunatha,

In this paper, the authors attempted to understand the perception of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals towards the consortia of Libraries in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The research team attempted to explore the notions that are prevailing among the LIS professionals in UAE towards consortium and development of the same in the region. Researchers explored the attitude of LIS professionals towards scope and functions of consortia, nature of resources that can be shared among the members of consortia. It also attempted to understand the possibility of initiating the consortium and identify the thrust areas of cooperation and resource sharing, which might benefit the member libraries. The study was conducted with an overall objective of understanding the perceptions of LIS professionals towards the formation of consortium in UAE. The specific objectives of the study are (i) to understand the attitude of LIS Professionals towards library consortium, (ii) to gather their opinion in developing the consortium in UAE, (iii) to identify the thrust areas for resource sharing and networking and (iv) to suggest the areas that need attention of LIS professionals in developing a consortium. In order to meet the objectives of the study, the authors considered the libraries attached to the universities and institutions those are offering Undergraduate (UG) & Postgraduate (PG) level courses in Medicine, Technology, Management and Humanities / Social Sciences in UAE. While searching DubaiFAQ website, the authors identified 81 institutions in UAE that can be considered as target population for the study. Searching of websites of individual institutions and contacting few individual librarians provided contact details of 91 LIS professionals working in these institutions. As the researchers were desirous to have comprehensive viewpoints from the target population, they considered all the 91 LIS professionals for the study. Personal discussions were held with fellow LIS professionals and existing leading consortia models were examined for obtaining the inputs for designing the survey instrument. The web-based instrument was sent to the target population for responses and follow-up was made with repeated reminders. Out of 91 respondents, the study received 71 responses resulting in 72.8% of response rate. It is observed that about 80% of the LIS professionals did feel that there is a strong need for establishing a consortium of libraries in UAE. About 86% of respondents agreed that the functions of consortium cross the boundaries of library resource sharing to cover the other areas of cooperation. Overwhelming majority of respondents (95.8%) opined that the consortium helps in subscribing online databases and print journals at discounted rates. A majority of them (91.5%) felt that it would facilitate pooling journals among libraries in the region and helps in negotiating with vendors for higher discounts (84.5%). A majority of the respondents (93.0%) expressed that the consortium helps in combined collection development and 91% of them did feel that their authorities will support such movement for an effective collaboration. The paper attempted to identify the factors those influences the functioning of consortia and present some more interesting results

ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORY EFFECT OF 3-(1H-INDOL-3-YL)-1, 3-DIPHENYLPROPAN-1-ONE DERIVATIVES

Objective: The objective of the study is acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory effect of 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1, 3-diphenylpropan-1-one derivatives by Ellman's method, physostigmine is used as positive control.Method: 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1, 3-diphenylpropan-1-one derivatives were synthesized by the addition of chalcone (0.25 g, 1 mmol), indole (0.12 g, 1 mmol) in ethanol (5 ml), and concentrated hydrochloric acid (5 mmol %). These earlier synthesized compounds were screened for AChE inhibitors by modifying Ellman's method.Results: Among the tested compounds, 3a and 3j were found to be having more potential than other compounds with half maximal inhibitory concentration values of 13.64 and 14.3 μg/ml, respectively. Whereas, compounds 3c, 3e, 3g, and 3i exhibited an average AChE inhibition of 16.4, 17.9, 17.6, and 21.1 μg/ml, respectively.Conclusion: The compounds 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1, 3-diphenylpropan-1-one derivatives were found to be possible lead molecules in AChE inhibition and even though, the molecules were structurally dissimilar to that of the standard, still they exhibited a considerable degree of inhibition and encourage the researchers to look into the mode of action of their inhibition ability against AChE

Silkworm Thermal Biology: A Review of Heat Shock Response, Heat Shock Proteins and Heat Acclimation in the Domesticated Silkworm, Bombyx mori

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are known to play ecological and evolutionary roles in this postgenomic era. Recent research suggests that HSPs are implicated in cardiovascular biology and disease development, proliferation and regulation of cancer cells, cell death via apoptosis, and several other key cellular functions. These activities have generated great interest amongst cell and molecular biologists, and these biologists are keen to unravel other hitherto unknown potential functions of this group of proteins. Consequently, the biological significance of HSPs has led to cloning and characterization of genes encoding HSPs in many organisms including the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae). However, most of the past investigations in B. mori were confined to expression of HSPs in tissues and cell lines, whereas information on their specific functional roles in biological, physiological, and molecular processes is scarce. Naturally occurring or domesticated polyvoltines (known to be the tropical race) are more resistant to high temperatures and diseases than bi- or univoltines (temperate races). The mechanism of ecological or evolutionary modification of HSPs during the course of domestication of B. mori - particularly in relation to thermotolerance in geographically distinct races/strains - is still unclear. In addition, the heat shock response, thermal acclimation, and hardening have not been studied extensively in B. mori compared to other organisms. Towards this, recent investigations on differential expression of HSPs at various stages of development, considering the concept of the whole organism, open ample scope to evaluate their biological and commercial importance in B. mori which has not been addressed in any of the representative organisms studied so far. Comparatively, heat shock response among different silkworm races/strains of poly-, bi-, and univoltines varies significantly and thermotolerance increases as the larval development proceeds. Hence, this being the first review in this area, an attempt has been made to collate all available information on the heat shock response, HSPs expression, associated genes, amino acid sequences, and acquired/unacquired thermotolerance. The aim is to present this as a valuable resource for addressing the gap in knowledge and understanding evolutionary significance of HSPs between domesticated (B. mori) and non-domesticated insects. It is believed that the information presented here will also help researchers/breeders to design appropriate strategies for developing novel strains for the tropics

Rapid Evaluation in Whole Blood Culture of Regimens for XDR-TB Containing PNU-100480 (Sutezolid), TMC207, PA-824, SQ109, and Pyrazinamide

There presently is no rapid method to assess the bactericidal activity of new regimens for tuberculosis. This study examined PNU-100480, TMC207, PA-824, SQ109, and pyrazinamide, singly and in various combinations, against intracellular M. tuberculosis, using whole blood culture (WBA). The addition of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D facilitated detection of the activity of TMC207 in the 3-day cultures. Pyrazinamide failed to show significant activity against a PZA-resistant strain (M. bovis BCG), and was not further considered. Low, mid, and high therapeutic concentrations of each remaining drug were tested individually and in a paired checkerboard fashion. Observed bactericidal activity was compared to that predicted by the sum of the effects of individual drugs. Combinations of PNU-100480, TMC207, and SQ109 were fully additive, whereas those including PA-824 were less than additive or antagonistic. The cumulative activities of 2, 3, and 4 drug combinations were predicted based on the observed concentration-activity relationship, published pharmacokinetic data, and, for PNU-100480, published WBA data after oral dosing. The most active regimens, including PNU-100480, TMC207, and SQ109, were predicted to have cumulative activity comparable to standard TB therapy. Further testing of regimens including these compounds is warranted. Measurement of whole blood bactericidal activity can accelerate the development of novel TB regimens

DOES SOCIALISM EXIST IN THE WORLD TODAY?

Socialism is a system of government that provides an equal status to everyone in every respect. It has been in use since Russian revolution 1917. It has been nearly 100 years since that revolution succeeded in overthrowing the old order in order to found a new society. But within a matter of 10 years the revolution turned into its opposite. As result, though there were mass workers’ revolts in those tumultuous years, especially in Western Europe failed to change at least one country in to socialism. The reason for failure in Russia was not due to industrialisation faced by the Russian working class, but the years of civil war and invasions by 14 different imperialist countries thinking that there was a vacuum created by the revolution essentially destroyed the Russian working class and making it impossible to maintain workers’ control over production and workers’ democracy in the administration of society’s overall affairs. That is why the author, as a socialist, says that there is no country in the world today that would describe as socialist. Because, though the world has seen two models for socialism, but neither them has lived up to the promise of human liberation in every respect. As a result, the transition from capitalism to socialism is a very gradual process. It needs continuous active struggles of workers with the guiding principle of human need before corporate greed

Beta Induced Bremsstrahlung Shielding Parameters in Al-Based Glassy Alloys

International audienc

Fatigue life of a carbon fiber composite T-joint under a standard fighter aircraft spectrum load sequence

The carbon fiber/epoxy composite (CFC) T-joints were fabricated and tested to determine their fatigue life under a standard fighter aircraft spectrum load sequence, mini-FALSTAFF with various reference loads. Further, the fatigue life of T-joint subjected to the same spectrum load sequence was predicted. For this purpose, the static pull-out (tension) and push-in (compression) tests were conducted on T-joints. Then, the constant amplitude fatigue tests were conducted to determine the load-life (P–N) curves at three different load ratio, R = Pmin/Pmax of 0.1, −1.0 and 10.0.The static and fatigue test data generated was then employed to construct constant life diagram (CLD) for T-joint. The fatigue damage for each of the rain flow counted load cycle of mini-FALSTAFF spectrum load sequence was determined using CLD. Using linear damage accumulation theory, the fatigue life of T-joint was estimated. The predicted fatigue life was observed to agree quite well with experimental results

Isolation of endophytic bacteria producing the anti-cancer alkaloid camptothecine from Miquelia dentata Bedd. (Icacinaceae)

Camptothecine (CPT), a quinoline alkaloid, is a potent inhibitor of eukaryotic topoisomerase I. Because of this activity, several semi-synthetic derivatives of CPT are in clinical use against ovarian and small lung cancers. Together with its derivatives, CPT is the third largest anti-cancer drug in the world market. CPT is produced by several plant species belonging to the Asterid clade. In the recent past, several studies have reported the production of CPT by endophytic fungal associates of some of these plant species. In this paper, we report the production of CPT by endophytic bacteria isolated from Miquelia dentata Bedd. (Icacinaceae). Besides CPT, the bacteria also produced 9-methoxy CPT (9-MeO-CPT), in culture, independent of the host tissue. The chemical nature of CPT and 9-MeO-CPT was determined by LC–MS and ESI-MS/MS analysis, and was shown to be similar to that produced by the host tissue. One of the bacterial isolates examined, showed indications of attenuation of CPT production through sub-culture. This is the first report of production of CPT by endophytic bacteria. The identity of the bacteria was ascertained by Gram staining and 16s rRNA sequencing. We discuss the possible mechanisms that might be involved in the synthesis of CPT by endophytic bacteria